Let's Have a Happy Easter!! (Happy Easter, what I've been up to)

Dear Chocolate Covered Rainbow Bunnies,

I have at least been making one post a month I suppose. (ô_ô) I'm so sorry my cutie pies! I am here to explain myself and to wish you all a super happy Easter!

Also, this is where it gets heavy so grab yourself some popcorn. 

Okay! To begin with I have been feeling a bit lost, kind of a how should a spend my time, what will make me happy, what will make my time really useful, sort of feeling. I also have been feeling a bit down and have not really dressed up in a way that made me happy lately. I also feel like I may be going through a style evolution. Not one that will be too visible on the outside, but one on the inside. How I feel about my style has been changing. I am realizing that I have been getting so caught up in what I think other Lolitas would want me to be that I started to forget who I was and why I loved the fashion. These feelings kept me from wearing Lolita for months. I wasn't sure what I wanted anymore. I was starting to feel conflicted about my own identity! I have been thinking of myself in different ways. Revisiting all my old hobbies that I used to enjoy. (A long long time ago in a galaxy I used to do amvs and make cartoon and anime voice overs/ fandubs.) Doing things like that used to be my whole world, but at one point I just stopped. I went back at it and also have tried my hand at vlogging. I have been trying so hard to find what I'm meant to do, whatever in this world will allow me to make other people and myself happy.

I am getting a bit off topic since this was still supposed to be a fashion post I wanted to focus on how my new confusing feelings would affect my style and this blog. I won't be changing how I dress much at all. I am just remembering the reasons I loved it in the first place. I don't want to listen to the inner pressures telling me to be more Lolita, making Lolita less fun for me. I don't think I can continue to buy dresses I don't wear anymore, I don't want to feel like a caged bird inside my own mind either. I want to allow myself to feel more freedom. I have no friends except for Mckinley living nearby since I moved. I have been mainly looking into making local Lolita friends and I am so worried about them liking me that I don't know what to do with myself. I hope I'm not being confusing I am mostly just puking out my feelings. They needed to be vented. Also I write stories, some of them I make with my friend and she is a talented artist so she draws them into comics! That's been getting me by lately since I love writing. I want blogging and dressing up to be full of fun and wonder again. The reason I started dressing up was not to be accepted by anyone. It was to like myself more. To feel more like the me on the inside on the outside. To be cute. To feel cute. I want to get back to that because who needs more stress in their life? Not me! (＾▽＾) I'm not sure if you've seen the Rise of the Guardians, but it made me want to think about something really hard. What was my center? I believe that my center is fun, childish silliness, happiness. Deep down that is what makes me, me. Though sometimes I feel conflicted about my outright childishness, but that is what makes me happy. Being like a child. Full of fun and wonder and silliness. I suffered from severe depression in childhood (I still struggle with it, but knowing who I am a little more and who I want to be certainly helps. Also it's a secret so that's just between us, I don't usually like people to know.) and can never remember having a carefree childhood. That could be why I show so many child-like behaviors now, but inside me it is just who I am. The one thing that helps my depression the most  is acting extremely happy, that makes me feel really good inside. I feel like inside I will be forever a child and I think that's a good thing. I will take a deep breath, let go of all the pressure I've been feeling, and start dressing up for myself again very soon. (Sorry if this is hard to read and even harder to understand just a bunch of venting. I feel better now.)

Also if you live in the DFW area please be my friend I'm lonely. <3 (≧;∇;≦)/

In other news, I have plans to get a doggy soon! This is the one I have my eye on and I will be going to visit her first thing tomorrow.  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25725480 I'm not sure what made me decide I needed a dog, but I have been very serious about it for about a month now. Isn't she the most adorable squishy little aww bucket ever! Yorkies are my favorite dogs. I love sweet little girly looking dogs. I also love yorkies because they are so spunky and I'd like to think I am pretty spunky too!

I hope your all doing very well and didn't miss me too much! I will be continuing my self discovery, but I couldn't stay away from all you sweet people any longer! (*^▽^*)

Hoppily Yours,

The Pink Bunny of Ugu (Skiteanna LaSweet~) 

Let's Do a Vlog! (My new fashion vlog channel!)

Dear Honey Bear Star Shaped GUMDROPS!,

Hi every body!! This is my new vlog channel on Youtube! Having a webcam will make reviews a lot easier on me~ That means I might do them more! XD~ Though I will of course still post pictures and things on this blog with the review videos~ I'm trying to decide if I should update this blog everytime I make a new video. o.o maybe~ Anyways! Enjoy my pointless introduction video and I'll see ya next time!

I've been meaning to tell everyone that my guinea pig had babies, but I never could get them to stand still for pictures!

Digitally Yours,

Skiteanna LaSweet

Let's Join the Lolita Blog Carnival! (One JSK, 5 different outfits!)

Dear Sparkly Eyed Dolls,

I am so excited to be writing my first Lolita Blog Carnival post! I didn't sleep last night to ensure everything would be done on time. The task is, "Take one staple wardrobe item, like a skirt, JSK, or OP, and make 5 different coordinates with it. May also be great to talk about budget." I thought this was the perfect topic for me to start off with. My blog is all about budget and making what you have stretch as far as you can! I can just about guarantee that every one of the outfits pictured in this post were bought for 50 dollars or less (Not including shoes, I only have a few pairs of shoes and they are an investment always.) and with a shared JSK that really can save money. Being able to put together different looks with one piece of clothing is a key part in wearing something like Lolita regularly. Okay! On with the show. Let's start! 

Outfit 1- Fairy-Loli Fun Fun FUUUNN!! 

This was easily my favorite outfit! Can you see I made use of that Tunic I bought for around 4 dollars at Target.com. This outfit is incredible fun to wear and just brings me to life inside when I wear it. I think this one suits me the best. Remember that pink Bodyline JSK because you might be seeing a lot of it very soon!

I felt I looked like a Lala Loopsy here myself! Can you picture it? I can! Suzette La Sweet's silly cousin Skiteanna LaSweet! (My pen name last name being the same as hers was unintentional, but I'm not bothered at all by it~! I love the Lala Loopsy doll line.)

Outfit Rundown 

Bow-Kroger (1.50$)

Glasses- Rue 21 (Free, but one get one free sale!)

Wig- Bodyline (bought from a seller online for 15 including shipping) 

Pink Confetti Tunic- Target for about 4.17$ on clearance ~ 

High Waisted Pink JSK- Bodyline (I believe I think I spent about 25 a few years ago) 

Cupcake necklace- Gift from my Japanese teacher (She made it!)

Tights- Rue 21 (I think the pack of pink and black was around 4)

Shoes- Bodyline (They were 40$)

Other jewelry is thrifted, given to me, or from Mcdonalds (The watch)

Whole outfit total- 89.67$, without the shoes it comes to 49.67$

Next up! 

Outfit 2- Little Lavender Dreamer

This was my favorite shot in this outfit! I really wish I had a matching purple ribbon to tie around the waist of the dress to finish off the look.

Outfit Rundown 

Bow- Kroger ($1.50)

Wig- Bodyline (bought from a seller online for $15 including shipping) 

Blouse- Goodwill ($4.19)

High Waisted Pink JSK- Bodyline (I believe I think I spent about $25 a few years ago) 

Backpack- Goodwill (It was a long time ago I think it was around $2)

Tights- Walmart ($1.50)

White Shoes- Walmart ($8)

Without shoes- $49.19 With shoes- 57.19

Wow stuff really adds up, huh?

Outfit 3- Causal...Fairy-Loli...thing....I guess (XD")

This would be a good outfit for a day out at the park, a walk, or to go to school in.

Bring a jacket for when you get chilly.

In this outfit I'm using the JSK as a skirt by putting a shirt on over it. This is one of my favorite JSKs to wear as a skirt! The key to this look is less poof, lower poof. This would be a great time to layer short petticoats/panniers like I do. I used one pannier with some lift and wore it midway down my hips to give it the casual shape I wanted.

After school on the walk home (or just when it gets a little colder if you didn't wear it to school) a simple hat like this fit right over the double bun hair style. I stuck the hair bows in my lunchbox (I use it as a regular bag.)

Outfit Rundown 

Hat- Target ($10)

Glasses- Rue 21 (Free, but one get one free sale!)

Shirt- Walmart (I think it was around $7)

Jacket- Christmas gift one year (I think it was around $16 and bought at Walmart)

Hello Kitty Lunchbox- Gift from Mckinley

High Waisted Pink JSK- Bodyline (I believe I think I spent about $25 a few years ago) 

Polka dotted Leggings- Goodwill ($2) 

I don't have the foggiest clue how much those socks were, but they were from Goodwill

Shoes- Goodwill (I think they were $7 or cheaper)

Overall price with shoes-$51  Without shoes- $44

OH I forgot  to add the bows, they would only be $1.50 each, I get most of my bows from Kroger.

Outfit 4- A More Traditional Sweet Lolita Outfit (Caps everywhere because they just look nice, some things are titles and such yadayada~) 

I really wanted to do more hair styles, but you know how it is when your curler breaks and you loose all your hairpins in a move right? Made things a bit harder as far as hair is concerned. No one is more disappointed than me that I couldn't use my real hair more.

.....I am sensing a pattern here...

Bow and ...oh what else? "I guess I'll get the matching bag!"

Outfit Rundown

It can be difficult to remember actual prices,  bought a lot of this stuff a long time ago! (XD")

Bow- This came off my Bodyline Carousel Skirt and I think the bow is a free add on to the skirt~

Wig- Bodyline (bought from a seller online for $15 including shipping) 

Blouse- Goodwill ($1.50)

High Waisted Pink JSK- Bodyline (I believe I think I spent about $25 a few years ago) 

Carousel Bag- Bodyline (I don't remember what I paid, maybe $7?)

White Tights- Walmart ($1.50)

Shoes- Bodyline (They were 40$)

Total without shoes- $50 With shoes- $90

Outfit 5- Winter ...erm... Wonderland?

Winter is coming soon so I decide to do a warm outfit last.

Outfit Rundown

Earmuffs- Bodyline (I think they are $6)

Bow- Kroger ($1.50)

Scarf- I got that for Christmas long long ago in a galaxy far far away

Blouse- Given to me by Louise

High Waisted Pink JSK- Bodyline (I believe I think I spent about $25 a few years ago) 

Tights- Walmart ($1.50)

Shoes- Gift for my birthday one year

A lot of gifts this time! Let's add it up~

Total- (Shoes cost me nothing so it would be useless to do a separate total) 34

So to do a quick recap we had

1.

2.

3.

4.

and 5 outfits from one JSK

The JSK I picked, I picked because the simplicity. The simpler the skirt, dress, or JSK the easier it is to coordinate the way you want. When the piece is one solid color you can choose your own color scheme more freely. In a dress with a loud print you can be slightly limited in color selection. When first starting, it may be better to buy simple pieces that you can dress up any way you choose! It is easy and quick when your just starting out to buy just a dress or 2 in colors you like to wear, so will therefore own a lot of or have plans to own more of. Also, did you notice the shoes and JSK usually almost made up the whole price? Other things can be picked up very cheap and you never know what you will accumulate over the years! 

 A few tips

~ If your using a print dress and your at a loss for how to coordinate it, look at the colors in the print. Bringing colors out of the print can really make the little details stand out more. You could also accessorize around a theme, I always find that to be fun and easy!  

~ Don't worry about making a million different perfect outfits when your just starting out. When you just start in Lolita you are still deciding how exactly you want to look in Lolita and your still in the early stages of collecting pieces you may need to create different outfits. Just wear your new JSK without a blouse when it first arrives if you want! Sure it may be against the rules, but I sure didn't wait to buy a blouse before I tried on my first JSK (This one, actually). If your worried about being perfect on your first try, just remember. The fun part of Lolita is the journey! (Though the end result is still pretty fun too!) 

~ Don't worry so much about doing everything right!  I think you should learn the rules, gain inspiration, then brake the rules a little! If it looks good to you and you love it then that is absolutely all that matters! You shouldn't be too afraid to be yourself because of what people might say. The point of fashion is to be yourself and express yourself. Your awesome! Be proud of it!~ 

~ Don't worry be happy! That can be hard advice to follow. Things get bad for everyone, some more than others. Everyone has had at least one bad day. Even if you don't feel like smiling smile, even if you don't feel like dressing up in your favorite outfit, do it anyway! Sometimes you have to force yourself to think your happy on bad days and it can turn into being happy! That works pretty often for me, but that isn't always the answer. A thing to remember is that fashion should make you happy! If it isn't making you happy anymore find out why, maybe you found you took an insult to heart and it's been dragging you down. It can be hard, but try to remember tip 3! At the risk of rambling I'm going to leave it at that. 

So, which outfit is your favorite? Do you have any tips you would give about coordinating outfits around one piece of clothing? I had a really good time with this post and I hope to do more Lolita Blog Carnival posts in the near future! I hope my first one was a success! 

Other super blogs who also joined in on the fun! 

Swirly Purple and Green Crayons

Sparkling Girl

A Lace Jail

Hello Batty

2 Teaspoons of Sugar

RedTonic

Make Lovely

Liz Juice Melting Mind

(I was up all night AGAIN, so) Sleepily Yours,

Skiteanna La~Sweet

(Wrote this yesterday, but posted today as soon as I got up! I actually got some sleep tonight~)

Let's Review Target.com! (Store Review Episode 3)

Dear McSugars with a side of Candied Apples,

I recently received my Target.com order! Actually it's been about a week or so, I don't remember exactly when I received everything now. I started feeling sick around the time I received it and only just recently got better. So, this review is a little late, but I'm glad you all waited for me! Now let's get started!

Shipping

First off we are going to talk about shipping. Before you even think about ordering anything from Target you need to know what kind of shipping you are in for. I spent 20 dollars on actual clothes and thought my 25 dollar gift card would cover tax and shipping. I was wrong and it is a good thing I still had money on my card. The order came to around 32 with shipping and tax. I only bought 3 things from a store that I imagine ships from the US and shipping was almost 9 dollars. I thought since the shipping was so much, far more than I spent at Walmart (I bought 4 things at Walmart and shipping was around 3 dollars.) that it would arrive much faster. It didn't it was actually much slower. I ordered a wig from a girl on the Facebook Bodyline Sales Comm a while after I ordered from Target and it arrived sooner than my Target order did. Target.com also made it impossible for me to track my order, Walmart made it so easy that I knew the exact day everything was coming. Target didn't even send me a tracking number and just linked me to the UPS site. Also after I ordered I looked up Target.com and started hearing horrible things. People not receiving the right items and people who didn't receive their items at all and can't seem to get a refund. I was happy just to have everything I ordered and not have to worry about all that when it did finally come.

Packaging 

(I somehow don't currently have the pictures of the unopened packaging that I took on my computer, but if it is still on my aunt's phone I can send them and update this part later. (It's dark out there right now.) )

I was greeted by a package that arrived late, but in perfectly fine condition. It was much like the bag my Walmart order came in, but had Target and the Target logo all over it. When I opened it I was filled with a slight disappointment.

The colors were not as I remembered! Sure they were still pink, but something was off with the shades. For this review I will track down the original site photos for comparison. Let's start with the first in the lineup. 

This is Target's picture of the tunic I ordered. It was on clearance for extremely cheap and still is. http://www.target.com/p/circo-girls-short-sleeve-tunic-azalea/-/A-14100216#prodSlot=medium_1_49&term=tunic

Here is what arrived on my doorstep. Barely the same color at all really. It was backed with cardboard to protect it, but it ended up giving it unfortunate crease lines. I was very disappointed with the color of this garment at first, but I have since found a way to use it that makes me happy. Still, the colors difference was not favorable. The coloring of the shirt in my pictures is very close to real life and their pictures are extremely inaccurate. I bought this because of the cute pattern of stars, hearts, and confetti! I still love the pattern and think it is just adorable. For the price I ended up still being satisfied with this item. (I'll have a picture of everything I bought worn at once in the end and eventually I will show how I would ACTUALLY wear this in another post.)

I was most excited about this! This is the Target.com picture of the skirt I bought, it looks pretty close to the stock of the tunic and I liked the shades of both in the pictures! http://www.target.com/p/cherokee-girls-challis-skirt/-/A-14086185#prodSlot=large_1_19

The color ended up being duller and darker than the original picture. It wasn't the pretty light pink Target showed. That wasn't the biggest problem. I had the biggest problem with how cheap the material felt. The material feels very cheap and looks cheap if you get a good look at it. Honestly, it felt a bit like Halloween costume material. It was on clearance, but the original price compares to the skirt I recently bought at Walmart. Not only was everything from Walmart.com the exact color of the picture(which is why I didn't feel the need to include the original pictures in my Walmart review.), the materials didn't feel or look nearly as cheap from Walmart.com either. I will still wear this skirt because the design is cute, just like the tunics design is cute, but I was rather disappointed with the quality. 

This was originally meant to be the front, but I like wearing it backwards more. I think the straight lines in the front and the crazy lines in the back looks better on me. 

This time the picture was actually spot on, but in the spirit on tradition I posted the original Target.com pictures of this item as well! http://www.target.com/p/hello-kitty-girls-hat-osfm/-/A-14203022#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=hello kitty hat

This was easily the best item of my mini haul! It was nicely constructed with thick and warm materials. My only complaint was I could of got almost exactly the same thing at Walmart for less money. The only reason I didn't was because I had a gift card for Target that had been collecting dust since graduation so I figured I would buy the one from Target instead. This is the only item I bought that wasn't on clearance, but was still my favorite despite costing more. It is cute and comfy and fits my average sized head! 

HELP HELLO KITTY IS EATING ME.

All together now! 

You can better see the differences in color here, of course I would likely not wear this as an outfit out anywhere. I had everything on at once for comparative purposes and so I didn't have to take 3 times the pictures. Also Mckinley was asleep still so I had to take the picture myself in front of the bathroom mirror, sorry about that!

I was left with this extra trash. Everything was backed with cardboard. This is the packaging I was talking about earlier, but this is after it was all opened.

I give Target.com a 4/10 and I'm being generous, because I do like things about all of the items and at least they didn't send me the wrong things! I doubt I will order from them ever again, but I think if I'm at Target I will still shop there. I will buy mostly Hello Kitty stuffed animals though! I don't recommend buying from Target.com, but if you feel daring go ahead! Though see if Walmart has practically the exact same thing cheaper first! 

I wanted to buy this vintage looking My Little Pony T shirt that came with a Halloween costume on Target.com, but it was 30 dollars. In the end maybe I should have and then I may have had free shipping! "Free Shipping On Orders Over 50$" Though be warned that is only for select items that say that. Also I wouldn't bother with their Red Card I took quite a bit of time applying for it and found out weeks later I had been denied. http://www.target.com/p/women-s-my-little-pony-costume-set/-/A-13668937#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink I wanted the shirt, but in the end, 30 dollars for a T shirt and a cheap pony ear band. I couldn't do that! (XD")

I'm glad to finally have this for you all! I hope it was informative and helped you decide whether or not you wanted to place an order at Target.com. 

Very Very Very Pinkily Yours, 

Skiteanna LaSweet